Hybrid Car Maintenance (Everything You Need to Know)

Hybrid Car Maintenance

Hybrid cars are the new brides in town. They are cost-effective, saving so muchmoney on gas compared to a gasoline car. But what does hybrid car maintenance look like?

It is not a secret that luxury cars are expensive to maintain; is the same true for hybrid cars? Do Hybrids have higher maintenance costs? Do they need a lot of maintenance?

Here’s all you need to know about Hybrid car maintenance and what it takes to maintain a hybrid car.

Are Hybrid Cars Expensive To Maintain?

Bybrid cars are not high-maintenance cars, but they are quite expensive to maintain, especially if they have problems.  Maintaining a hybrid car can be expsneive, especially if it requires replacing parts.

However, many hybrid car manufacturers offer warranties to cover the cost of maintaining the battery. As long as you keep the batteries in good working condition and adhere to proper practices, you won’t need to worry about the high maintenance cost.

Hybrid cars can be expensive to maintain because not all local mechanics can work on them. Furthermore, the parts are not as readily available as popular gasoline-powered cars. Even when parts are available, they are more expensive.

How To Maintain Hybrid Cars

1. Battery Maintenance

The first step to maintaining your hybrid car is understanding how the battery works. Hybrid cars run a dual operating system powered by an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.

In certain cases, it has more than one electric motors, which are powered by the hybrid car’s batteries. Unlike full electric cars, you don’t need to plug in a standard hybrid car for them to charge. Hybrid car batteries charge through “regenerative braking”.

Regardless of how innovative the hybrid battery technology is, the batteries have a limited life span. Some hybrid car batteries have an 8-year/100,000-mile warranty.

Properly maintaining your hybrid car’s battery will help it last as long as possible.

For proper hybrid car battery maintenance, incorporate the following strategies:

  • Apply extra care on the batteries during cold weather; warm up your car before driving out.
  • Don’t drain the batteries completely before recharging.
  • Take the car out for a drive every day to prevent the batteries from packing up.
  • Always refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines for instructions.

2. Develop a regular maintenance schedule

Just like you must do for regular cars, if you want your hybrid car to last long, then you need to develop a regular maintenance schedule.

Develop a maintenance schedule that ensures that you take routine checks on your car based on its unique needs.

Your hybrid car maintenance schedule should cover:

  • Oil Change
  • Replacing air filters
  • Fluid refills
  • AC system checks

3. Brakes and Tire Inspection

Brakes and tire inspection should be a core part of hybrid car maintenance. This is just the same as maintaining a gasoline-powered car.

Check for wear and tears in your tires, confirm the status of your brake pads, and ensure that the tire pressure is good enough to lead you through the day’s drive.

Each time you hit the brake pedal or take a long ride, your brakes and tires bear the full brunt of friction and power.  Pay attention to brakes and tires to prevent major issues with your hybrid car.

Are Hybrid Car Maintenance Costs Higher Than Other Cars?

No. Hybrid car maintenance cost is not higher than gasoline-powered car maintenance.

It is true that Hybrid cars come with an extra electric motor. But if you compare what is required to keep a hybrid car running, it’s almost the same as the cost for gasoline cars. In fact, you will usually spend less on maintaining a hybrid car.

Do Hybrid Cars Require More Maintenance?

No. Hybrid cars require less maintenance than gasoline-powered cars. They require similar maintenance as an electric vehicle.

Since Hybrid cars use the internal combustion engine less, they do not require as much engine maintenance.

Considering the design of Hybrid cars, you will use your internal combustion engine less, and this will result in less stress, pressure and less need for replacement and maintenance on the engine.

You have to change your engine oil less than you used to on your gasoline-powered car as well. The brake pads also last longer because you are driving on a regenerative braking system.

Are Hybrid Cars More Prone To Problems?

Hybrid cars are not more prone to problems. Just like every other type of car, the reliability varies depending on the specific model. Just as there are unreliable gasoline-powered cars, there are also many unreliable Hybrid cars.

Unreliable hybrid cars can generate a lot of problems, ranging from EVAP issues, battery-related issues, degradation, and lots more. But they are not more problem-prone than gasoline-powered cars. The key is to choose a reliable brand and model.

What Are The Main Problems With Hybrid Cars?

Here are some of the main issues with hybrid cars:

  • Battery Issues
  • Low highway fuel economy
  • Issues with catalytic converter
  • Faulty sensors
  • Expensive cost of replacement
  • Less Powerful drivetrains

Routine Hybrid Car Maintenance

Oil changes are one of the primary types of hybrid vehicle maintenance. How often a hybrid car needs an oil change depends on the manufacturer’s instructions. Refer to the owner’s manual for details.

In most situations, you will need to change the oil in your hybrid car more often during hot seasons or in humid areas. It prevents the oil from breaking down due to heat or prevents moisture buildup due to condensation. In general, you should change the oil in your hybrid car after 5,000 – 7,000 miles.

  • Always replace the batteries when the need arises
  • Ensure to always get a frequent coolant flush for your hybrid vehicle
  • Look out for needs for tire alignments, wheel, and brake pad replacements.

Hybrid Car Maintenance Cost

The cost of maintaining a hybrid car depends on the areas of need. Something like an oil change will cost barely $35 - $75. However, if it requires a battery replacement, you may spend as much as $2,000 - $8000.

Conclusion: Hybrid Car Maintenance

Maintaining a hybrid car might pose a little challenge, especially if you are a first-time user. You must understand the needs of the car and stick to a regular maintenance schedule. Even so, the cost to maintain a hybrid car is very reasonable.

Turn to an experienced technician for hybrid car maintenance and repair. Only professionals should work on hybrid vehicles because of their complexity.